Jamaica’s Half Moon
resort hosted an event at the Dorchester Hotel in London last week in a bid to promote its new $4 million spa to travel agents and tour operators.  The property near Montego Bay will open an expansive new facility in early 2007.  Work begins this summer and will see the conversion of the resort’s signature villa, Fern Tree House, into a 68,000 square foot sanctuary for mind and body. 

“The creation of this new world class spa has spent many years in development; creating the concept, doing research on what spa-goers want for their spa experience. I am confident that when finished the Fern Tree Spa will be one of Jamaica’s best spas,” said Richard Whitfield, Half Moon’s managing director.

Drawing on Jamaica’s lush landscape and centuries-old healing traditions as inspiration, the Fern Tree Spa will meld modern spa techniques with Jamaica’s ancient healing remedies of native herbs, fruits and botanicals. 

Borrowing from Fern Tree House’s original colonial design, treatment rooms will be set amidst lush gardens allowing guests the option of having their room enclosed or open to their own private garden terrace.  For couples there is a plantation-styled couples massage room with private patio and dipping pool.  Families, wedding parties and groups will enjoy the spa cottage, offering separate living room and spa treatment room. 

The Fern Tree Spa complex will also house a relaxation lounge, yoga pavilion, meditation labyrinth, hydrotherapy swimming pool, sculpture garden and several water features including one styled to recreate the Dunn’s River Falls.

Having at its foundation a philosophy of wellness, Fern Tree Spa will introduce clients to a Spa Elder versed in the art of holistic healing.  Incorporating the natural herbs and botanicals found in Jamaica as a base, the Spa Elder will create a treatment menu that reflects both traditional remedies and present day spa techniques.  Clients can also benefit from the Spa Elder’s expertise with private consultations to develop personalised treatments or a regimen of treatments and programmes that follow a path to wellness.   

The development also includes the creation of six signature beachfront spa suites adjacent to the spa.  The suites will combine the comforts of a traditional hotel suite along with the features and services of a personal spa.  Each spa suite will feature a personal studio that can be used for private en-suite treatments, personal fitness or yoga, an expansive bedroom with sitting area, an oversized bathroom and a private patio overlooking the Caribbean with outdoor soaking tub and shower.  Special features of the spa suite will include an organic spa refreshment bar and spa bath bar. 

Richard Whitfield, Half Moon’s managing director, comments, “Fern Tree Spa will be a world class spa designed to fulfil the needs of the discerning spa goer.

  “Guests will be able to create a truly personalised experience through consultation with the Spa Elder.  In addition the spa suites offer the opportunity to have treatments and or classes in privacy and at a time to suit the guest.

“We are also conscious that the mind is as important as the body and so have incorporated outdoor areas for quiet contemplation seated by water features, strolling through the sculpture walk or walking through the mediation labyrinth.”

The Fern Tree Spa is the third in a series of major refurbishment projects to be undertaken by Half Moon as part of a five year project.  Other upgrades have included the rebuilding of the resort’s beachfront Hibiscus Suites, the renovation of the 41-year old Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed golf course, refurbishing the Oleander deluxe suites, adding a new children’s play area and upgrading two of the resort’s specialty restaurants. 

  The Half Moon has also been nominated this year for a number of

href="http://www.worldtravelawards.com/index.php/wta/nominees_2006"
target="_top">

World Travel Awards including Caribbean’s Leading Hotel.
——-